Handle for brooms



A. B; THOMAS. HANDLE FOR BROOMS.

(No Model.)

I Patented July 11, 1893.

K Cur 44 ,1

UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

ALMER B. THOMAS, OF HARDWI K, VERMONT.

HANDLE FOR'BROOMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 501,383, dated July 11, 1893.

Application filed February 14:, 1893.

to be used much more effectively and with greater ease. I have aimed to accomplish this result without materially adding to the cost of production of the article, or increasing the weight thereof in any appreciable degree.

With the above objects in view my invention consists essentially of a handle having a corrugated or waving saw kerf or slit extending lengthwise thereof.

The invention further includes the construction hereinafter described and pointed Outin the claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1, is an elevation of a broom having a handle constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2, is a View of the handle detaohed and slightly bent.

The head of a broomis shown at a, this being representative of any article to which my improved handle may be applied to advantage. The handle I), is made of wood of the usual or any desired kind and of the usual shape except as hereinafter specified. An ordinary handle of a size convenient to be grasped by the hand would not bend or at least not enough to give any appreciable result. In order to permit the handle to bend I provide a saw kerf or division cut 0, extending lengthwise of the handle along the portion which it is desired shall bend or yield. This kerf c, terminates at one end, in a straight out in the center of the handle as shown at d, and at the other end runs out at one side as at 6. This kerf may be out easily and quickly by starting the saw at e, and extending it to any desired point. The kerf thus formed separates the handle for a portion of its length into two parts I), b and as will be readily understood greatly decreases the rigidity thereof as in bending the two parts are permitted to move longitudinally in relatlon Serial No. 462,321- (No model.)

to each other. In order to limit the bending of the handle so that it may not bend to too great an extent it is necessary to provide a means whereby the movement of the said parts may be limited as I have found that after the handle has been bent to a certain extent if the movement of the two parts in relation to each other be prevented the further bending of the handle will likewise be prevented. In order to accomplish this I form the saw kerf corrugated or waving and surround it by two or more bands f, which clasp the handle somewhat loosely. When the bandle is bent the two parts I), I) move lengthwise in regard to each otherand the opposite faces of the corrugated saw kerf come in contact with each other as shown in Fig. 2, and further movement caused by bending the bandle still further, will tend to cause one inclined face to ride upon the other, thus tending to separate the two parts 1), 12 but their separation will be limited or prevented by the rings which surround them. If it is desirable to havea comparatively stiff and unyielding handle the saw kerf is made coinparatively straight, having the sides thicker and stiifer, while if it is desired that the handle shall be very flexible the kerf is made more corrugated or waving, thus making the sides or parts I), b thinner in places. The flexibility of the handle may also be controlled by making the rings fit more or less closely to the handle thus limiting the movement of the parts in relation to each other and hence controlling the flexibility of the handle.

1 claim as my invention- 1. In combination with abroom or the like, a handle secured thereto, and a saw kerf or slit intermediate of the ends thereof extending longitudinally of the handle, substantially as described.

2. In combination with a broom or the like, a handle secured thereto having a saw kerf or slit extending longitudinally thereof and intermediate of its length and a band encir cling the slit portions of the handle, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALMER B. THOMAS. 

